Monday 20 September 2010

Movie Magic!

Sean Penn

Today I watched Milk

Sean Penn takes the lead role in this amazing film following the journey of political gay activist Harvey Milk.  The film concentrates on a 40 year old Milk who, having found someone to share his life, moves out of New York to San Francisco and his subsequent move into political life.


Milk sets up residence and opens a camera shop in the Castro district of San Francisco and fights for the civil rights of gays and lesbians, he is eventually elected as the first openly gay man to public office in California.

Milk, who was in office for almost a year, was responsible for a number of gay rights ordinance being passed for the city.  He often clashed heads with another Supervisor, Dan White, who was a staunch Conservative.

{the real Harvey Milk}

In 1978 Dan White, having resigned his position as Supervisor and subsequently changing his mind with no positive outcome of gaining his seat back, assassinated both Mayor George Moscone and Harvey Milk.

I love films of real events like this, it highlights lives that we probably would not have heard about and opens our minds to the struggles of others......it also makes you wonder......what would have happened if he had lived. 

I have only seen a few films with Penn in but find he always manages to pick the really important, thought provoking ones.

Penn won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Milk, quite right too! ;o)

hugs

hello gorgeous xxx

3 comments:

  1. I happen to have a Harvey Milk google alert, and you story popped up. I have mixed emotions about the movie "Milk",I found several time-line and locations mistakes, and also a few scenes that never happened, however I also realize that the movie introduced Harvey Milk, and that era in Gay Rights to millions of people, young and old, gay and straight,here in America and around the world.

    I would like to recommend a great web-site that is dedicated to the evolution of the Castro, from a changing S.F. neighborhood in Eureka Valley, into America's gay Mecca. Unlike the movie... it is not a recreation... but contributions from pioneers in the gay rights movement with stories and images of that era www.thecastro.net/ and you can find part of my collection there,too!

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  2. Thanks Jerry for the info, will check it out...I think that's what the film does for people, make them more curious about the plight of others and possibly let them become more involved.

    I think movies of "real" events often have sections added for drama but if the message of their fight comes across to the audience then I think the goal has been achieved
    .
    hugs xxx

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  3. Great review. If I hadn't already just watched the film, I would definitely have went out and watched it after reading your post.

    I liked the film. I think it depicts a time and struggle that is often glazed over. It definitely made me more curious and led me to staying up late, Googling articles and pictures.

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